Recycled comfort: Repurpose items to liven up living room

Looking to update the look of your living room? Revamp your old furniture to save money and cut down on waste.

Allecia Vermillion

Looking to update the look of your living room? Revamp your old furniture to save money and cut down on waste.

Reupholster an old chair

A professional reupholstering shop can make your old easy chair look brand new by swapping the outdated, stained fabric for the color and pattern of your choice. Professional jobs can cost hundreds of dollars, but you can do it yourself for a fraction of the price.

- Pick up a how-to guide, like “Complete Step-by-Step Upholstery,” by David Sowle and Ruth Dye. While the steps may seem involved, anyone can master this process with a bit of patience, a few tools and some extra fabric for mistakes.

- Be sure to select an upholstery-grade fabric. Thinner fabrics are easier to work with, but they won’t stand up to wear and tear. Upholstery-grade fabric is sturdier, and many are designed to resist stains.

Slip a cover on your couch

Your couch may look run-down, but chances are the frame and stuffing still have years of wear left. A new slipcover is inexpensive and keeps perfectly serviceable sofas out of our landfills. Store-bought versions start around $30 and come in a range of colors and fabrics. Many are machine washable.

- Go greener by using organic cotton slipcovers, which are grown and harvested without harmful pesticides.

- Many home stores sell rods, inserts and other tools to help tailor your slipcover to the shape of your couch, ensuring a smooth silhouette.

Give a side table a vivid hue

Most people have an uninspired wooden side table lurking somewhere around the house. Some sandpaper, elbow grease and a new coat of paint can transform a cast-off piece into a focal point.

- Sand the entire surface, using medium-grade sandpaper, in your garage, basement or yard. Furniture with a wax coating may need some extra sanding.

- Your furniture will likely need a coat of primer. Ask a salesperson at your paint or hardware store to help you find the proper type.